Waterloo School of Architecture professor Dr. David Fortin and Waterloo Engineering professor Dr. Tizazu Mekonnen have been named to a list of leading innovators by a national anti-racism organization.
The inaugural edition of Canada’s Top 20 Aspiring Innovators of the Year, released by the Coalition of Innovation Leaders Against Racism (CILAR), recognizes Black, Indigenous and People of Colour winners who are positively impacting their communities, the world and future generations through the innovation ecosystem.
Championing Indigenous community-led design
Fortin, a professor in the School of Architecture, champions several local, national and international projects that strengthen profound relations with one another and the land.
Dr. David Fortin is one of CILAR's Top 20 Aspiring Innovators of the Year.
Combining his lived experience as a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario with his expertise in architecture, Fortin works with several First Nations communities across Canada to address their unique housing needs through award-winning, community-led design processes.
His multi-year research project into Red River Métis contributions to architectural thinking has been central to Canada’s evolving discussions about Métis historical and contemporary architecture.
Read the full story on Waterloo Engineering.